News feature 8 and

Captain Teresa Conway

Major Keith Burr

Major Keith Burr (Older People’s Services) recounted how studying for this degree transformed his pastoral care, both in how he understood himself and approached others.

Captain Teresa Conway (Stroud) spoke of the personal sense of achievement the degree brought her. She expressed delight and surprise that she was the holder of a degree that had enabled her to flourish, increasing her confidence and changing her ministry beyond recognition. They both paid tribute to families, colleagues, tutors and the administrative teams for the varied support they received during their learning experiences.

Special words of thanks were given to Major Wendy Knott and Major Heather Yates, both of whom recently retired from their involvement in the degree programme after sharing their expertise and knowledge with students for many years.

Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne, principal of William Booth College, concluded the afternoon by thanking everyone involved in the delivery of the degree and made special mention of Major Tom Stirling who was instrumental in establishing the programme in 2005.

Music provided by musicians from Staines Corps under the leadership of Ian Jeffery reflected the dignity and joy of the afternoon. The final congregational song, ‘I, the Lord of Sea and Sky’ (SASB 1002), summed up the desire of all the graduates to be available to God and hold his people in their hearts.

In their own words

MAJOR JASON SNELL PENGE I REMEMBER my journey home after the first residential week – an intense time of learning and processing new information. I sat on the train and thought, ‘What have I let myself in for?’ I experienced anxiety and panic. In truth, some of those feelings never went away, but with help and encouragement from the tutors I have graduated.

Space does not permit me to write about all the things I have learnt and been able to build into my practice. Nevertheless, the learning, which was always applied practically through the assessments, has already enabled my understanding and practice of pastoral care in so many ways. The dissertation process was helpful in exploring a question I had been wrestling with for a few years and was one of the reasons I joined the cohort. It is hard work, but it is worth it!

It is hard work, but it is worth it!

CAPTAIN CHERYL STONE NORTHAMPTON I CHOSE to study this degree hoping that it would have a direct relevance to ministry. From the very first class, the psychological approaches to pastoral care have given me an insight into situations and a deeper awareness. The study was well paced and the breadth of subjects taught was highly relevant. It was a supportive learning environment thanks to both my tutors and peers.

Apart from essays, the course provided some creative opportunities, for example an academic poster, media report and group presentation. These allowed me to develop my presentation skills as well as explore a range of academic skills.

Choosing to study subjects such as forgiveness and grief has broadened my understanding so that these insights can speak into my pastoral care and inform the language I use in my preaching. For my dissertation I used a framework from positive psychology to research flourishing in ministry. Researching this has widened my thinking. I pray that I will continue to learn and use the skills and knowledge I have attained to help others.